New Music: Fast Money Music

One of the most hyped artists emerging from the UK right now is Fast Money Music, and if you haven’t heard of their sound yet, then today’s release of ‘Space Opera’ will act as a good introduction.

The song treats us to an energising blend of indie and pop in a way that is both nostalgic and current at the same time. Interestingly, it was co-written alongside Tony Hoffer and features The 1975’s George Daniel and John Waugh on the record.

Fast Money Music has garnered praise from heavyweight tastemakers like BBC Radio 1’s Jack Saunders, while also landing placements on playlists as noted as Spotify’s Fresh Finds Indie.

Listeners can look forward to a new EP titled ‘ROUGE’, which is out soon. You can also catch the artist performing live at London’s The George Tavern on the 30th August.

Fast Money Music

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New Music: Chloe Echo

New Zealand has long been the home of really interesting pop, with artists like Chloe Echo continuing to showcase the nation’s rich pool of musical talent.

New single ‘Looking At You’ presents listeners with a finessed alt-pop sound that is melodic, airy, and eccentric in character. Speaking on the track’s sonic inspiration, Chloe explains:

“I was listening to a lot of Frou Frou and Imogen Heap while I was working on this song, and I was very inspired by her use of electronic elements that still felt human and organic.”

The song serves as a taster for the artist’s next album, for which there have already been a handful of singles released. If you love this talent as much as we do, then we recommend you check out her music catalogue on Spotify right now!

Chloe Echo

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Creature Canyon – Give Me Life

If you’re looking to shake off those midweek blues, then we’ve got the perfect anthem to share with you today, courtesy of Californian rockers Creature Canyon.

‘Give Me Life’ is a bold, raw, and utterly captivating song that is sure to energise and motivate you to take on the day like a champion.

For listeners who are unacquainted with this acclaimed outfit, Creature Canyon consists of members Austin Steele, Ryan Amyot, Aaron Lund, and Luc Fralic. They currently command more than 28k monthly listeners on Spotify and have amassed more than 1.5 million cumulative streams to date.

You can catch the band performing at Pappy + Harriet’s in Pioneertown on the 28th June, with tickets available here.

Creature Canyon

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New Music: Slice

Photo / Debbie Cho

If you’re on the hunt for some exciting new indie rock, then we’ve got a fantastic band to introduce you to, who go by the name of Slice.

The emerging US-based trio have just released an impressive single called ‘Shopping’, which is sonically energising and lyrically meaningful. The track tackles the subject of homelessness in a hard-hitting and impactful way, as songwriter Alex Hattick explains:

“When I was writing the lyrics, I was thinking about the different clear-outs of unhoused communities in Echo Park, in Santa Monica, even in Downtown Long Beach. The irony of unhoused communities being cleared out while unaffordable high-rise loft apartments are being built is impossible to ignore. When you’re removing people from these spaces, where do they go? Where do you expect people to go when there’s nowhere to go?”

‘Shopping’ is taken from the outfit’s forthcoming ‘Slice III’ EP, which is out in August. The group has been billed as ‘Best Indie Band’ by OC Weekly while also building a loyal fan base, thanks to their electrifying indie sounds and fierce commitment to social causes.

Slice
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New Music: blue pablo

There’s not much known about US-based newcomer blue pablo, but we’ve been very intrigued by this artist’s distinct style of indie-pop.

New single ‘Mother Nature’ presents listeners with an eccentric and refreshingly experimental sound, while the lyrics address the concept of the celebrity. blue pablo explains:

“‘Mother Nature’ is a metaphor for celebrities, emphasizing their allure, power, and influence over society. These lyrics explore themes of obsession, desire, and the pursuit of perfection, while also touching on the consequences of fame and the complexities of human nature. It paints a picture of a world where people are captivated by the glamorous facade of celebrity culture, yet also grappling with its darker aspects and the longing for something more meaningful.”

The track showcases a type of sonic artistry that we’ve not yet come across, which is not only bold but also interesting to experience. You can explore more of blue pablo’s songs on Spotify.

blue pablo
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New Music: Cold Fame

Your weekend anthem comes courtesy of Canadian outfit Cold Flame and their massive new single ‘Hello Reaper’.

Whether you’re pop-leaning or a committed rock fan, you’ll likely enjoy this track’s production. With hints of classic No Doubt and Paramore, the sound makes an instant impact from the moment you press play… and the melody is sure to stick with you for a very long time!

“Fierce. Feminine. Revenge – ‘Hello Reaper’ is our latest alt rock addition from our upcoming debut album.”

Since forming in 2021, Cold Fame has been on a mission to make a mark on the North American pop-rock scene. They’ve played shows and festivals alongside heavyweights like Fleet Foxes and Peach Pit and are currently preparing to release their debut album, which is due in the autumn.

Cold Fame
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New Music: sunsetto

Track of the week. Canadian singer and songwriter sunsetto is a name to watch in the coming months.

The artist’s new single ‘GREEN TXTS’ caught our attention this week, thanks to its finessed production, which layers melancholic vocals over an experimental pop base.

The song was inspired by the notion of humans drifting apart – and the realisation that the connections you once had with old friends are sometimes left in the past.

sunsetto initially rose to prominence in 2020, when a clip of his gorgeous track ‘don’t leave’ gained momentum across social media, amassing almost 500k streams. He’s built up a solid fan base since then, which is sure to grow with each new release. Keep this talent on your radars!

sunsetto
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New Music: Tess Clare

Independent LA-based musician Tess Clare came across our radars today, and we have to say, we’re really impressed with this talent’s natural flair for songwriting.

New single ‘Never Be a Boy’ is a masterclass in pop. The melody is memorable, the vocals are distinct, and the lyrics are beautifully honest.

The track was inspired by the artist’s self-discovery of her sexuality, and the complex thoughts she felt about her best friend during her teens.

“The song captures the essence of innocence, portraying typical childhood experiences like sleepovers and parties with the intrusion of deeper, unspoken desires. Looking back, it wasn’t just sleepovers and making hypothetical best friend plans about their future, but also intrusive thoughts about a world where maybe they could actually be together.”

To date, Clare’s music has amassed more than 800k streams on Spotify alone. We think this artist has a very bright future ahead!

Tess Clare

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New Music: J Duran

Photo / Kate Lamendola

Nashville artist J Duran is one of those rare musicians who has a natural ability to mix classic rock with modern indie-pop in a way that feels timeless yet relevant.

The singer and songwriter has just unveiled a brand new project (produced by Cage the Elephant’s Brad Shultz) called ‘Introspect’, from which ‘Keep It Real’ is lifted. The track is instantly memorable, and deserves to be on everyone’s playlists this weekend. Speaking on the album, the artist says:

“’Introspect’ is an unintentional concept album that explores perspective just as well as it explores sonic possibilities. I think it has a unique character and charm that differentiates it from other music that I’ve heard coming out recently. I think its honesty and confessional writing style can be easy to relate to and its melodies can often sneak into your ears and attach themselves.”

J Duran’s music has been featured by noted outlets likes of Beats Per Minute and UpToHear. You can stay up to date with the artist across several platforms here.

J Duran

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New Music: Hawke The Band

London-based Irish rockers Hawke The Band are one of the most exciting discoveries of the week.

The outfit has already shown themselves as masters of indie pop and rock, with their impressive new single ‘Doctor’ sure to become a hit this summer. Elaborating on the track’s lyrics, they explain:

In this case, the doctor being the lover and the patient is continuously crying out for this person to tend to them, but in the end the doctor doesn’t truly care if this patient will come back or not as he has plenty more, and the reality is it’s a good sign for the doctor if the patient doesn’t return. 

The ‘doctor’ is a metaphor for a dangerous lover who while we know the consequences and potential heartbreak associated, we can’t help but be intrigued and want more. The uplifting chorus portrays the high of the drug being prescribed (love) while the lyrics talk about the harsh reality and underlying worry felt by the patient.

The band has been listed as one of NME’s Top 100 Artists, and also graced Glastonbury’s legendary Main Stage last year. Keep these chaps on your radars!

Hawke The Band

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New Music: Vilhelm Buchaus

Photo / Sandra Thorsson

We’ve got a fantastic new talent from Scandinavia to share with you today, who goes by the name of Vilhelm Buchaus.

While still only 22 years old, this rising singer-songwriter is already winning listeners across Europe thanks to his bold style of sound, which is both heartfelt and rousing.

The new single ‘Snow In The Summer’ shows listeners Vilhelm’s more vulnerable side, and treats us to a raw fusion of indie and rock that could easily get a stadium crowd on their feet.

“Through my music, I want to share what I’m going through in a way that others can relate to – the same way that artists before me have done the same for me. I also need to write about things I think about constantly. And as long as I am true to myself in what I write about, I hope others can recognize themselves in my songs.”

The track serves as a taster for the artist’s forthcoming debut EP, which is out soon via iconic Swedish label TEN Music.

Vilhelm Buchaus

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New Music: MADI LEEDS

Track of the week. MADI LEEDS is a new prospect emerging from Australia, whose new single ‘Long Distant Memory’ has totally mesmerised us.

The track is in essence indie-pop music, yet somehow it still infuses an essence of summery nostalgia which is utterly charming to experience. Alongside its memorable melody, Madi’s vocals also captivate listeners as she sings about memories of the past.

“Wrote this a while back about being in a time I knew I’d feel future me would be nostalgic about … so this feels meta now. All about grief and trying to hold onto fading memories and feelings that come with that. Hope you like it and can connect with it in your own way.”

In addition to her talents as a recording artist, Leeds is also a performer who has been featured at noted events like the Melbourne Music Festival and Sydney Fringe.

MADI LEEDS

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New Music: Kathy Katouzi

Hailing from Toronto is a hugely interesting new musician who goes by the name of Kathy Katouzi.

This artist cites her Iranian roots as a source of creative inspiration, and crafts her work in a way that defies the nation’s intolerance of creativity.

“In my country creativity was taken from women, not provided.”

The new single ‘AFTERPARTY!’ is a bold and refreshingly raw piece of music that fuses indie with alt-pop in a bright and energising way.

The sound is like nothing else we’ve heard in a long time, and it makes us believe that Katouzi could well be one of Canada’s most promising emerging stars.

Kathy Katouzi

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New Music: Finn Doherty

Track of the week. We have a sensational newcomer to share with you today, who goes by the name of Finn Doherty.

This London-based artist has already been making waves across the UK scene for some time, with support from outlets like BBC Introducing under his belt.

His latest release, taken from the new EP ‘if you’re bored of this city’ (listen here), is called ‘Your Love Won’t Take Me Home‘. The song treats listeners to a powerful indie-pop sound that is sincere and emotive in tone. Explaining the lyrics, Finn says:

“‘Your Love Won’t Take Me Home’ serves as the acceptance, the realisation that some love remains unrequited beyond the realms of simple pleasure. Falling for someone who will never reciprocate is one of the most universal experiences as a queer individual, and this song speaks directly to that feeling. It feels like a long car ride home. A walk in the rain under soft orange street lights.”

You can catch Finn performing some shows through the spring and summer, with dates and locations listed below.

Finn Doherty

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Finn Doherty Live Shows 2024

  • 10th May 2024 – Release Party, London. 
  • 21st June 2024 – Albion Nights Gig, South Norfolk. 
  • 22nd June 2024 – First Light Festival (Sunlight Stage) 

New Music: Frances Whitney

Frances Whitney is a California-born newcomer who has been gaining steady momentum in recent months, thanks to her captivating take on alt-pop music.

New single ‘Holding On’ is one of the catchiest pieces of music that you’ll likely come across this weekend. Sonically, the track feels nostalgic while also maintaining a modern indie edge. On the lyrics, Frances says:

“I wrote ‘Holding On’ about dating a fellow creative — which was profound, inspiring, and completely unsustainable. In the song, there’s an interpolation of Don Henley’s lyric about his romance with Stevie Nicks — “I was either standing in your shadow or blocking your light” — which summed up well how I felt in the aftermath. Ultimately, ‘Holding On’ is about connecting deeply with someone for a season, knowing it won’t last.” 

The song follows on from Whitney’s debut single ‘Easy Street’ (listen here), which has accumulated close to 100k streams on Spotify to date. This is an artist to watch!

Frances Whitney

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New Music: IS U IS U

Photo / Jasmine Safaeian

American DJ duo IS U IS U is one of the most impressive outfits to come across our radars this week.

Consisting of artists Kito and Chrome Sparks, IS U IS U’s productions treat us to a transcendent style of indie-electronica which really is quite enchanting.

New single ‘Melter’ is both energising and ethereal at the same time, and invites listeners into a soundscape that is pleasantly full of unexpected twists and turns.

The duo will shortly release a debut EP. In the meantime, be sure to check out their brilliant Spotify playlist, Kito & Chrome Sparks present IS U IS U here.

IS U IS U

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New Music: Maria Diebolt

If you’re in the mood for some mellow R&B-pop, then we’ve got the perfect song to share with you, courtesy of rising American musician Maria Diebolt.

‘Temptations’ is a charming track that gives us hints of the iconic sounds of Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande. In equal measures, the sound is classic but also treats us to a certain kind of freshness which is wonderful to experience.

This singer and songwriter has already amassed almost 200k streams on Spotify from her catalogue of songs, which you can explore here.

Maria Diebolt

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New Music: Kortnee Simmons

New York’s Kortnee Simmons is a multi-talented creative who can sing, produce, and act. Having garnered thousands of streams online, it’s no wonder that this artist is gaining solid momentum.

‘Vibes’ is a soulful R&B song that is instantly memorable. Aside from its catchy melody, the track also showcases Kortnee’s captivating voice, which glides smoothly over the polished production.

You can check out more of Kortnee’s music over on Spotify.

Kortnee Simmons

New Music: Tarian

Sometimes you come across a song that is so mesmerising that it stops you right in your tracks. This was the case when we first played ‘Half Of Mine (Alizé)’ by Welsh newcomer Tarian.

There really are no words to describe how captivating this sound is. The production is sparse and minimal, but the lyrics and vocal delivery are sincere and emotive.

If the song sounds familiar, then you may recognise it from Frankie Stew and Harvey Gunn’s track of the same name, which amassed more than a million streams upon release. Speaking on the collaboration, Tarian says:

“They are from this school of UK Hop Hop that is introspective, melancholy and melodic. It’s also quite emotional and I was always drawn to that. I thought ‘what’s the worst that can happen?’ and I emailed them two or three demos, one of them being ‘Half of Mine’. A few days later they mailed back saying they loved the demo and they wanted to work on it during their next writing camp. That email validated that the demo was good and it was a real spark of hope for me. And then, within a few weeks, they sent me their demo and told me that they wanted it to be their next single.”

“Ever since I was a kid, even when I was low and in a horrible space, I felt deep down that I was going to be a musician and that it would have meant something; that it will connect with people in a way that makes them feel that they are not alone in what they might be going through.”

There’s no doubt in our minds that Tarian will become a prominent emerging name in the UK over the next few months. This kid is one to watch, trust us.

Tarian

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New Music: Lucky Lou

Track of the week. It’s been a little while since we shared with you some premium Scandinavian pop, so we’re delighted to introduce you to Swedish starlet Louise Lindberg, aka Lucky Lou.

Already an accomplished songwriter who has worked with the likes of Zara Larsson and Astrid S, ‘Space’ marks the artist’s first foray as a soloist. And as to be expected, the track is a pop masterpiece.

Lifted from an upcoming debut EP (out in June), the song was inspired by the demise of a cherished friendship. The artist explains:

“Throughout making the EP, I had quite a few fallouts with people in my surroundings, and I felt overstimulated and taken for granted. The song is about the sorrow of breaking up with someone close to you, whom you love and have known for a very long time.”

It won’t come as a surprise to know that the track was written and produced by Lindberg herself. We’re excited to see what comes next!

Lucky Lou

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